Jump to a Chapter:
Now is the fun part—the part you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to shop for a home!
Make a List of Needs and Wants
First, make a list of things you must have in a home and things that you would like to have in a home. This ensures that you look only at homes that actually fit your criteria. Otherwise, you risk falling in love with something that isn’t what you need, which is a recipe for unhappiness and regret. Trust me on that one.
Take Notes and Pictures
Make sure to take notes and pictures (or even videos) of homes as you’re walking through them. You’d be surprised how all of the homes start to blur together after you’ve seen a few.
Evaluate the Neighborhood
You should also evaluate each neighborhood as you look at homes. Go during the day as well as after dark. If you can, talk to some of the neighbors. Drive to work from the home and see if the daily commute will work for you.